One of my favorite songs from the British Invasion. Gerry Marsden was the leader of the band and for a time they were managed by The Beatles' manager, Brian Epstein. "Ferry Cross the Mersey" went as high as Number #6 on the American Billboard Charts in 1965. This is a clip from the film of the same name. Critics noted the parallels to the more polished and famous "rock and roll" musical, "A Hard Day's Night".
Despite some other hits--including 'Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying"-- the group disbanded a couple years after the film.
(Hope nobody got run over by those scooters in those narrow commuter tunnels.)
Good old Gerry and the boys terrorising the pedestrians of Liverpool on their Vespas. Nowadays they would all be on Antisocial Behaviour Orders and quite rightly electronically tagged for the safety of the public.
ReplyDeleteYou'll perhaps be pleased to know that they are still at it Doug...(playing that is... not traffic offences).
Good old film clip, I have never seen the film before, I hope Gerry isn't driving his porsche through subways in Liverpool today, his feet won't touch the floor....the resulting curfew would be a sad end to such a talented entertainer I think.
That really was a great song, and I remember the film well. I loved his voice.
ReplyDeleteGreat song. Great accent. You can cut the Merseyside vowels with a knife.
ReplyDeleteI was so close to posting this one myself -- one of my all-time-fave British Invasion tunes. This band never got the recognition it deserved.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this one, pal!
LOL. That's something we could use in the USA... automobile speed-bumps in subway passages.
ReplyDeleteGood thing Gerry and boys weren't East Enders--"Ferry Cross the Thames" would have featured The Other Lads taking their Vespas down the Underground escalators at a tube station, sending foot traffic over the handrails--creating havoc not seen since The Blitz!
I've never seen the movie either--I'm just glad for the clip because it's a great backdrop for a wonderful tune. Glad to hear The Pacemakers still have a following there and abroad. Thanks for the link, AA.
I'm glad you've seen the film, Melanie. It looks cheerful--as are many of the Pacemakers tunes. This one has always been a favorite.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear you say that about the accents, Jeff. I was afraid it was just me who thought the film might have needed subtitles for the North American market :-)
ReplyDeleteLOL I should have checked that link Doug (now removed) I meant to post this one.......drat.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ents24.com/web/artist/230/Gerry_And_The_Pacemakers.html
Right back at you, Astra :-) You're welcome. Glad we have similar tastes on this musical genre. And I agree--they had their share of good music and wish they had been more popular over here.
ReplyDeleteNow that you mention it, AA, I was a tad confused, but the Cuban link I figured concealed some Gerry and the Pacemakers concert in Havana I couldn't bring up due to CIA filtrating. ;-)
ReplyDeleteA 60's Summer Reunion Tour looks like a great ticket! Glad to see the majority of the group is still at it. (Drummer Freddy Marsden I gather passed on in 2006.)
LOL I know what you mean Doug, I wish they'd leave Gerry alone, 537 times they'd tried to assassinate him now and all because somebody said the band was part of an invasion. Tsk
ReplyDeleteI have a passion for the genre. I have a large collection including some that will make you chuckle "Abba - The Movie", "Slade in Flame" (don't know if that will mean much to the Americans), "That'll Be the Day" and "Stardust", and of course the usual "Ziggy Stardust", "Tommy", etc. My favourite remains "Quadrophenia" however.
ReplyDeleteLOL! And people think the FBI gave John Lennon a bad time!
ReplyDeleteI'll bet Gerry hasn't slept in the same bed two nights in a row.
Funny, I heard his wife has been complaining about that too Doug.
ReplyDeleteThe CIA only have to hear that "invasion" word and they don't listen to the whole album after that....just fire off an email to the 'Exploding Cigar Department' andthings take their own course.
Great choice of songs. I have always enjoyed this song. Thank you for posting it again
ReplyDeleteLOL. It seems inconsistency and marital constancy don't often go together, AA. I blame overzealous national security agents for the poor fellow "slipping".
ReplyDeleteThanks Fred.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful song, I have always loved it. Cute the way those instruments were so handily placed on the ferry lol, a bit like old musicals which always seemed to have a handy orchestra hidden just out of sight.
ReplyDeleteEither that, Iri Ani, or Liverpudians are just so musical that guitars and pianos are just part of the commuter experience.
ReplyDeleteNice of that lad in the main cabin to open the door for Gerry at 2:06 so he could get to the port side of the boat (without missing his chord change! ;-)
It is a lovely song.
Yep, ROFL, that always amuses me. Too much sometimes. People tell me I need to work on my "suspension of disbelief":)
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